At my routine check up at the dentist, my dentist advised me that I have a tooth abscess - I have no pain at all, no symptoms, no swelling, no pain with I bite on the tooth - nothing, so I've agreed to have a bridge for £800 - am I being ripped off ? They didn't offer me anti-biotics, nothing ?
It sounds strange to have something like that with no symptoms at all. Is there another dentist in the practice who would offer a second opinion? As far as antibiotics are concerned dentists are reluctant to prescribe them and they aren't always very effective.
To tell you my experience, I had a root infection which periodically drained nasty stuff from under my gum and became red and tender although never as painful as an abscess. The dentist tried for two years to cure the problem (in that time I only had antibiotics twice), and even sent me to the hospital, but in the end I had to have the tooth removed. The problem with waiting to see whether something like this can be cured is that the infection causes bone loss so now I have a big dent in my mouth above where the tooth was. Not too unsightly if your issue is with a rear tooth but with a front one it will be noticeable if you have a bridge so I wouldn't recommend waiting. I do now wish I had been offered the extraction sooner because I'm having an implant and have had to have bone grafting to try and build up the area around the new tooth. It won't be possible to fill in the dent completely though.
Thanks for taking the time to reply - it's nice to know Im not the only one.
I have taken a second opinion, but they are both very young dentists and I feel, a little inexperienced - but Im sorry to hear of your troubles too - it sounds painful ! My tooth is a frontish one, so I don't think I have any choice really and think I will go ahead - I just wish I could find a different practice who will take new patients - I feel trapped at this dentist ....but i think I need to get on with it, get it done and move on !
Thanks again for replying
No problem, good luck with it Steph.